Industry Update

BLEC USA, Inc. has undergone several changes, including a new name, STEC, Inc., or Specialized Turf Equipment Co. The name was chosen to more accurately reflect what the company does. The everyday workings of the company will remain the same, and it has added new employees and implemented new policies. It also plans for a larger facility, an increase in personnel and new products.

News from Ruppert Landscape

Ruppert Landscape has promoted Tommy Dimaio to project manager at its North Carolina landscape construction branch. He joined the company in 2006 as a lead estimator.

Ruppert announced that the Crystal City project in Crystal City, Va.; Janelia Farm Research Campus, Loudoun County, Va.; and Urbana Highlands, Urbana, Md., have been recognized for excellence by leaders in the green industry. The projects received awards from the Landscape Contractors Association in its Excellence in Landscape competition and from the Professional Landcare Network’s 40th Annual Environmental Improvement Awards Program.

The Jacobsen diversity council with First Tee visitors.

First Tee Children Visit Jacobsen

Jacobsen’s diversity team partnered with First Tee of Charlotte to host 20 children ages 10 to 17 for a day of learning and fun at its manufacturing facility in Charlotte, N.C. The events of the day consisted of plant tours, career learning sessions with different departments and a putting contest with prizes.

News from GIE+EXPO

Erin McKay, guest of JPH Lawn & Landscape, Bourbonnais, Ill., won $5,000 by attending GIE+EXPO and visiting the exhibits of the participating truck manufacturers. The Trucks of the Industry Giveaway was sponsored by Power Equipment Trade and Turf magazines and featured Ford, Isuzu, GM, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Toyota.

This year’s show featured nearly 16,600 participants, with dealer/retailer registrations up 2 percent from 2008 and merchandiser/buyer registrations up 18 percent. Lawn and garden centers were up 25 percent and distributor numbers were up 9 percent from last year.

New features such as the New Products Arena and the High-Performance Service Pavilion, as well as educational sessions for all segments of the industry, were well-received and added value to the show for attendees and exhibitors alike.

Perspectives on Paspalum Available Online

Perspectives on Paspalum, a seminar focused on management issues of warm-season seashore paspalum grass, is available free online at www.turfnet.com/commercial/environmentalturf. The webinar includes presentations from Dr. J. Bryan Unruh, Randy Allen, John Shaver, Stewart T. Bennett and Dr. Dennis Shepard. Two videos from the event, originally held at Pine Lake Country Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C., are also available online.

Dale Conway

Thompson VP Celebrates 25 Years of Service

Thompson Pump & Mfg. Co., Inc., Port Orange, Fla., celebrated the 25th employment anniversary of Dale Conway, vice president of engineering. Conway has held many positions in the manufacturing and engineering sectors of the company since 1984. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Central Florida.

JCB Launches Encore Program

JCB has launched a program aimed at keeping high-quality used JCB machines available within the marketplace. The Encore Program provides dealers with an affordable opportunity to bring used JCB equipment back to original specifications, making them mechanically sound and correcting any cosmetic or other superficial defects.

Car Mate Passes Safety Compliance Inspection

Car Mate Trailers, Inc., Leeper, Pa., has again passed the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers’ safety compliance consultation, part of NATM’s voluntary compliance program. The program is based on the NATM Guidelines for Recommended Minimum Manufacturing Practices for Light and Medium-Duty Trailers, which is a compilation of federal safety standards and regulations and industry best practices that govern trailer construction.

Haruo Uchiyama

Maruyama Hosts Distributor Event at GIE+EXPO

Maruyama hosted a “Dinner with the Chairman” event for its distributors at the 2009 GIE+EXPO. The event featured speeches by Takaharu Uchiyama, president of Maruyama U.S., Inc., and Leif Ringstad, general manager of Maruyama U.S. The keynote speaker for the evening was Haruo Uchiyama, chairman of Maruyama Mfg. Co., Inc.

Quintessential Launches New Web Site

Quintessential Outdoor Living Co. launched a new, customer-focused Web site at www.indoors2out.com. It features a dealer locator search by zip code, complete dealer list, images and specifications for each oven model, recipes, industry news, frequently asked questions and an e-news sign-up option.